Historical Society to hosts picnic, speaker at park

July 11, 2012

MAYVILLE, N.Y. The Chautauqua County Historical Society would like to invite the public to its next upcoming speaker program.

Historical Society Trustee and Falconer resident Jason Sample will present "Early Water Transportation of Southeastern Chautauqua County" on Wednesday, July 11 at 6 p.m., in Falconer Park located on North Phetteplace Street in Falconer. In addition to the speaker, a summer picnic will also take place.

Sample has served as a trustee with the Historical Society since April 2011. Last year, he wrote and produced the historical society's "Bicentennial Biography" radio series which featured biographical vignettes of 200 notable individuals from throughout the county's history. He also serves as the chair of the organization's programming committee and serves as its publicity and marketing director.

Article Photos

Submitted photoA flatboat, in the foreground, and keelboat around Pittsburgh during the late 18th or early 19th century. A similar scene may have taken place in the waters of southeastern Chautauqua County during the same time period. On July 11, Jason Sample with the Chautauqua County Historical Society will give a presentation on early water transportation in the area. The event is free and open to the public.

Sample's presentation on July 11 will focus on the keelboats, flatboats and storeboats that roamed Chautauqua Lake and the Conewango, Cassadaga and Chadakoin - then simply known as the outlet - waterways during the first half of the 19th Century.

"I was raised close to where the Cassadaga joins the Conewango just south of Falconer, and growing up I spent a lot of time around those two waterways," Sample said. "Us kids would go fishing or exploring in the area, and we would wonder how many people had passed through on those waterways. When I got older, I started to read more about the history of the area and I've learned that many people have indeed passed through on various boats with some very interesting stories. As a result, I'm excited and looking forward to sharing those same stories with others during the annual picnic."

There is no cost to attend the speaker program or the picnic, but everyone who is on hand is encouraged to provide a dish to pass. Reservations are requested by Monday, July 9. To make a reservation or for more information, call the Historical Society at 326-2977 or email mcclurg@fairpoint.net.